What is the role of technology and innovative approaches in the HIV response?

My name is Alexandru Buga and I am currently working as a Program Officer on HIV prevention and care at UNODC office from Moldova, a role I took on in October 2023. I graduated from medical university as an epidemiologist, and I have experience working in the field of HIV and tuberculosis. My work involves implementing impactful projects and collaborating closely with both civil society and state structures to address HIV among people who are using drugs and other key population

Constantin Cearanovski is the Director of Strategic Development at Positive Initiative, a Moldovan community organization (CSO). He focuses on transparency and efficiency in public procurements, rights protection, and advocacy for KAP interests. Constantin develops digital solutions to improve the accessibility and quality of medical and social services. His work encompasses the creation and implementation of advocacy campaigns, as well as enhancing the impact of psychosocial support, prevention, treatment, care, and mental health services for populations most vulnerable to HIV. He is also committed to advancing social enterprises as sustainable funding sources for NGOs.

Miloš Stojiljković Rolović has been active in the NGO sector since 1999, beginning as a peer educator and advancing to international master trainer. He has trained youth on five continents and served as the International Coordinator for Y-PEER and the Director of dance4life Serbia, Serbia’s largest youth movement. Miloš is the author and co-author of five manuals in the field of peer education, with expertise in peer education, outreach with vulnerable groups, strategic planning, fundraising, and team building. Currently, he empowers youth in management roles as the Director of the oldest NGO working in HIV/AIDS in Serbia, the Association against AIDS - JAZAS, and the Focal Point for the SOS Project with the Association for Sustainable Communities Development - TOC. He contributes to Serbia's HIV response through various national working groups and commissions.

With over 20 years in HIV prevention and prophylaxis, Oxana Buzovici specialized in high-risk populations. Over the past decade, she became part of a team that promotes harm reduction programs in Moldova, advocating for their quality and sustainability, while empowering drug user and sex worker communities. Since 2017, Oxana has supported the legal empowerment of vulnerable groups through Moldova’s specialized paralegal network. Recently, she began service provision for refugees, including those affected by HIV. As part of the national team of trainers she co-developed FORMARE.MD, a digital training platform in public health, HIV, Human Rights, gender, and related fields.

In 2018, I founded Belarus's first youth initiative uniting HIV-positive young people and activists, and together with my team, I have led numerous projects to combat HIV and discrimination. In 2022, due to my involvement in the protest movement that began in 2020 and my continued social activism, I was forced to flee Belarus. Today, I remain dedicated to supporting young people with HIV both within Belarus and those who have emigrated. Every person living with HIV has a unique story, and witnessing the positive impact of my efforts continually reaffirms the importance of this work, inspiring me to keep moving forward.

Maia Ribacova, Coordinator in Prevention, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases. National Program for the Prevention and Control of HIV/ AIDS and STIs, . My responsibilities include coordinating prevention programs for key populations, including PREP, PEP and PMTCT at the national level (expanding the coverage of prevention services to people from key population, attracting new PREP clients, introducing innovative approaches and best international practices, training specialists, data analysis and monitoring of key indicators, coordinating activities with stakeholders, including the non-governmental sector, international partners, etc.).  

Maria Malakhova is a highly accomplished public health specialist with over 10 years of experience managing international projects, conducting research, and advocating for mental health. As a Project Manager at the Alliance for Public Health, she oversees the development of innovative digital health solutions across multiple countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including a national HIV information system, an AI-based virtual social worker solution, and a regional HIV data dashboard.

Maria’s expertise spans project management, grant writing, and communications, with a proven track record of securing funding for critical public health initiatives. She has coordinated operational research studies on the effectiveness of new approaches to HIV prevention, treatment, and diagnostics, while working with multidisciplinary teams to drive policy development and enhance program outcomes.

Maria has played a key role in developing and scaling up interventions like self-testing for HIV, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and community-initiated treatment interventions. Her work has contributed to significant advancements in the field of public health, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Biology and a Master of Biophysics, which complement her extensive experience in public health. With a strong focus on mental health and fundraising, she is dedicated to leveraging innovative solutions to drive meaningful change in global health outcomes.